Linux From Scratch - Version 7.5-systemd

Chapter 7. Basic System Configuration

7.4. Customizing
the /etc/hosts File

If a network card is to be configured, decide on the IP address,
fully-qualified domain name (FQDN), and possible aliases for use in
the /etc/hosts file. The syntax is:

IP_address myhost.example.org aliases

Unless the computer is to be visible to the Internet (i.e., there is
a registered domain and a valid block of assigned IP
addresses—most users do not have this), make sure that the IP
address is in the private network IP address range. Valid ranges are:

The <192.168.1.1> and
<HOSTNAME.example.org> values
need to be changed for specific uses or requirements (if assigned an
IP address by a network/system administrator and the machine will be
connected to an existing network). The optional alias name(s) can be
omitted.

If a network card is not going to be configured, create the
/etc/hosts file by running: